Jump To:

• split-brain
  split-brain

  adjective

  having, involving, or pertaining to a severed corpus callosum.
• split brain
  split brain

  noun

  a brain in which the tracts connecting the two halves of the cerebral cortex have been surgically split or are missing from birth

split-brain

American  

[split-breyn] / ˈsplɪtˈbreɪn /

adjective

1. having, involving, or pertaining to a severed corpus callosum.

---

split brain British  

noun

1. a brain in which the tracts connecting the two halves of the cerebral cortex have been surgically split or are missing from birth

---

Etymology

Origin of split-brain

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

In the 1960s, Gazzaniga began conducting experiments in split-brain patients whose corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres, was absent.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

This figure represents a split-brain individual processing information.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

This causes a condition called split-brain, which gives insights into unique functions of the two hemispheres.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Although it gives a good conceptual footing for Erickson’s split-brain mystery, the whole severance thing doesn’t bear much inspection.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2022

From the highest vantage point you can make out only the brain’s two big hemispheres, so I began with studies of split-brain patients and other discoveries that locate language in the left hemisphere.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker